Michigan

Tom Izzo agrees with John Engler that ESPN report is 'sensationalized'

Posted February 14, 2018 at 12:18 AM

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo addresses the media after their Big Ten basketball game at Breslin Center in East Lansing, on Friday, January 26, 2018. Michigan State won the game, 76-61.(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

MINNEAPOLIS - Tom Izzo is still not addressing specific questions about an ESPN report that alleges his program mishandled a sexual assault allegation against players.

But the Michigan State coach said on Tuesday night that he agrees with the school president's assessment that the report was "sensationalized."

MSU interim president John Engler released a statement on Tuesday afternoon in which he called ESPN's story and television packages "a sensationalized package of reporting that contained allegations and insinuations that we are now reviewing."

Engler specifically mentioned ESPN's decision to use a graphic featuring Izzo, Mark Dantonio and former school doctor Larry Nassar together. Nassar is currently in federal prison after pleading guilty to more than a dozen charges of criminal sexual conduct.

Asked about that statement after his team's win over Minnesota, and specifically Engler's line that the reporting was "sensationalized", Izzo said three times that he agreed with the school president.

"I only saw a little bit of it, but the part I saw, I agreed with what he said," Izzo said. "We'll see what goes from there when I get home and get a chance to read it all and get a chance to talk to him. The part I saw, I agreed with him."

Engler also said in his statement that Izzo and Dantonio have been asked not to publicly comment while the reports are being "examined." He said that request has been "a burden that must be lifted."

Izzo said on Tuesday night that not speaking about the situation has been a burden, but reiterated that the decision not to address specifics in the report was his. He pointed out that he first declined to comment on the report before Engler was named the school's interim president.

Engler also said in his statement that he hopes that "MSU can soon respond in full and affirm the integrity and probity that has been the hallmark of these two respected coaches."

Izzo said again on Tuesday that he plans to address the report in the future, but offered no timeline on when that might happen.

"I said it before, there will be a time that I'll talk," Izzo said. "But I thought what he said looked really good to me as a start."